6 Ways You Will Hate Your Garbage Disposal
I'm sure there are many ways to screw up a garbage disposal, but here are 6 common ones.
1. Don't Remove The Knockout Plug
When installing a new disposal, if you have a dishwasher you are supposed to remove a small plug in the side of the disposal inlet. This allows the dishwasher to drain into it instead of draining out of the air gap and onto your counter. When someone calls saying they have water on the countertop, I always ask if the disposal is new. If it is new, whoever installed it forgot to remove the plug.
2. Don't Trim The Airgap Hose
This hose runs from the air gap (that little nubby thing on top of your counter) to the garbage disposal and is made of thick rubber. If this hose is even slightly too long, it will tend to crease and obstruct the flow of water as the dishwasher drains. You guessed it...more water on your counter.
3. Don't Fully Tighten The Disposal's Collar
Where the disposal mounts to the underside of the sink is a collar will little tabs around it. These round tabs allow you to stick a screwdriver in and fully tighten it until it "bottoms out". Well a disposal vibrates as it grinds, especially when it's full of food, and if the collar isn't totally tight, the disposal could work it's way loose.
4. Grind Things You're Not Supposed To
We all know that there are foods that don't belong in a disposal. Grind them at your own peril. Things like potato peels and celery are kryptonite to a garbage disposal. These types of things will cause a backup and lots of unpleasant smells.
5. Let Food Scraps Pile Up In The Disposal
You have a disposal, right? Then turn it on! It is surprising to me how many people will put food down there but won't grind it up. The smell of rotting food will make you run.
6. Don't Upgrade To A Stronger Disposal
For another $20.00 you can go from a 1/3 horsepower disposal to ½ horsepower. The money is well worth it. A stronger disposal will plow through things that the weaker one will not, and that means you get to unjamb the weaker one or call someone who can.